Colour is much more than an aesthetic choice. It is a design tool that can shape how we experience the built environment. When colour is applied through render, it can significantly influence how people perceive and interact with architecture. Elaine Gilligan of K Rend examines the crucial role of colour in external façades and how choosing the right render can transform a building’s aesthetic while eliciting an emotional response from passersby.
First impressions matter. The colour of a building’s exterior is often the first thing we notice and it can leave a lasting impression. The colours we choose can trigger emotional responses based on our relationship with certain shades. From the simplicity and innocence of white, to the warmth and energy of reds, oranges, and yellows, and the tranquility of blues, purples, and greens, colour has a profound effect on our emotions and experiences.
From the vivid hues of Burano in Italy to the carefully curated townhouses of Copenhagen, colour has long been used in façades to articulate identity and place. In London’s Notting Hill, rows of multi-coloured terraced homes demonstrate how a wide array of both soft and bold coloured pastel tones can radiate charm and be a striking and welcoming contrast to dreary grey façades so often seen across the nation’s capital. These façades have become familiar the world-over, showing the power of colour to make a strong first impression.
Inspired by these housing trends, architects and developers are moving away from uniformity in favour of adding colour and texture to enhance visual appeal. Through coloured renders are a popular choice, providing a low maintenance finish that eliminates the need for painting – an attractive option for the homeowner. Additionally, the use of different colours can help to break up street scenes, creating a more dynamic and cohesive development.
Choosing the ideal render
When selecting a coloured render, it’s essential to look beyond surface appeal. The hue, tone and texture should complement the local architecture and landscape, creating a cohesive and visually appealing streetscape.
Lighter colours can help to make a building feel more spacious and airy, while darker shades can make more of a statement. Textural finishes can also contribute to the overall character, from the smooth uniformity of a fine finish to the tactile appeal of a textured surface.
Working closely with the render manufacturer is crucial to ensure the chosen colour and finish meets the project’s design goals. K Rend’s through coloured renders are available in 20 standard colours, with the option to colour match using the NCS colour system for bespoke shades.
Modern renders also offer a variety of finish options, from thin coat to scraped texture, with variation in the texture depending on the size of the aggregate to create roughcast and dry dash finishes. Samples are essential to verify colour and texture choices.
Colourful communities
In Suffolk, a Persimmon Homes development used K Rend’s K Mono, a monocouche scraped-texture render in a palette of powder blue, salmon pink and ivory. This mix of soft, pastel tones helped to create a pretty and unique aesthetic across the development, avoiding the monotony of a single colour and appealing to homeowners while fitting perfectly with the picturesque historic streets of this rural area of Suffolk. K Mono, which can be applied in one coat one pass, was ideal for a large development such as this due to its quick setting times and speed of construction.
Similarly in Northern Ireland, a detached property benefited from a bespoke colour that was developed using K Rend’s silicone thin-coat render. This allowed the housebuilder to achieve a striking shade that complemented the surrounding architecture and landscape. The ability to colour match and create renders in any shade outside the standard 20 colours available in the thin coat range, enables the housebuilder to create a truly unique and bespoke project.
A development in Mullingar, southern Ireland used K Rend’s Silicone K1 scraped texture range in white but offered a pop of colour with thin coat render in two bespoke colours creating a striking aesthetic and a development with real kerb appeal. Furthermore, the silicone technology use in both products added water repellency to keep the render looking fresher for longer and the mica in K Rend renders added that signature sparkle.
Coloured renders present both a versatile and a creative opportunity for architects and specifiers to add individuality and visual appeal to new homes. By carefully considering colour, texture and the surrounding context, the exterior façade can be transformed from a generic “brick box” into a distinctive, memorable building that elicits an emotional response. As homeowners demand more vibrant and personalised new-build homes, coloured renders will play an increasingly important role in shaping our evolving built environment.
For more information about the wide range of render systems available from K Rend or for technical guidance, visit K Rend